Bahamas - Apply for Air Operators Licenses or Permits

ProcedureEdit

Apply In-Person:

To apply for Air Operators Certificate/Permit in person, the applicant has to visit office of the Civil Aviation Department.
The address and contact details can be found in the ‘Office Locations & Contacts’ Section of this page.
But before applying for AOC you will need an initial, personal briefing from a team that will be making these evaluations. This is done through “Pre-Application Meeting.”
Then the Inspectorate will provide a package of forms to apply for an Air Operator Certificate.
The first form in the package is the “Pre-Application Statement of Intent.” It is a two-page form that provides the Inspectorate advance notice of the applicant’s intentions.
Note:You should send this form to the Inspectorate at least 3 months before you would like to begin commercial air transport flights.
Next you will be assigned a Certification Project Coordinator to follow your process and provide answers to questions while you are getting the formal application package together.
Now complete the AOC application form with appropriate information under relevant sections. Check ‘’Required Information’’ list below for more details.
Attest it with your signature once completed.
Once completed filling the application form, make sure that you have attached all the documents listed in the “Required documents” section of this page.
Then, submit it in person to the relevant authority at the office.
After submission, your application along with the attached documents will be forwarded for further verifications.
The Inspectorate will review your manuals, documents and proposed records for acceptability.
Once the documentation is found satisfactory, the Inspectorate will inspect the facilities, technical support, aircraft, equipment, communications, observe training and checking of crews, and participate in actual demonstration of the airline or air taxis’ capability.
Once all this processes is over, you will become an “AOC holder.”
The entire process can take up to 90 days.

Required DocumentsEdit

Approval from Flight Standards for annual technical assessment for each aircraft in fleet
Operators/Carriers Operations Manual and annual revision amendments.
An affidavit verifying no outstanding violations, accidents,incidents or occurrence for last fiscal period
Confirmation letter and receipt from Department of Civil Aviation indicating no outstanding debt to the Department for services, permits and licenses
Any changes in the beneficial owners of the operator and or carrier
Names and date of birth of all pilots, qualifications, last proficiency check, all pilot licenses and current medical certificate.
Copy of operations balance sheet for last fiscal period and bank reference letter
Business license or receipt
Current Certificate of Insurance
A copy of the current Operator's License
Quarterly reports on passengers transported within the Bahamas
Approval for FAA Maintenance Programme and Minimum Equipment List pursuant to FAR 129.14 for US registered aircraft
Lists of all aircraft authorized by the Minister

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT
SEABAN HOUSE
CRAWFORD ST., OAKS FIELD
P. O. Box N 975
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Phone Numbers:

(242)326-0339
(242)326-0345
(242)326-0347
(242)326-3590
(242)326-0319

Contact Link
For additional information contact [email protected]

EligibilityEdit

The Authority may issue an AOC if, after an investigation, it finds that the applicant:

is a citizen of the Bahamas;
has the principal place of business and registered office, if any, located in the Bahamas;
meets the applicable regulations and standards for the holder of an AOC;
is properly and adequately equipped for safe operations in commercial air transport and maintenance of the aircraft;
has paid the cost recovery fee required; and
holds the economic authority issued by the Bahamas under the Civil Aviation Act.

In the event the applicant is a body incorporated under the laws of the Bahamas, it must be substantially owned and effectively controlled by nationals of the Bahamas.

FeesEdit

The fees is B$500.00 per annum.

ValidityEdit

An AOC is usually valid for a period of 12 months.

Documents to UseEdit

Link to Application form with Instructions: Link
Application Form for Air Operator License/Permit Link

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Small air taxis will get certified in a short period of 30 to 45 days.
A proposed airline using large aircraft will require 45 to 90 days depending on the quality of the formal application.

InstructionsEdit

Application must be read in its entirety prior to entering information.
Original Documents must be submitted.
Failure to respond to, or comply promptly with the submission requirements will lead to the application being given a lower priority.

Note: For renewal of permit, the renewal request must be in the Department of Civil Aviation’s possession not less than fourteen days prior to the expiration of the licence and/or permit.

Required InformationEdit

Name of Applicant
Name of Operator or Carrier
Indicate exactly which renewal is being requested
Indicate the exact period being applied for
Details on whether there has been any changes in the beneficial owners of the operator and/or carrier.
Names and date of birth of ALL permanent and part-time pilots: their qualifications and date of last proficiency check

Need for the DocumentEdit

All commercial air transport operations (scheduled or non-scheduled) must obtain approval for an air operator certificate (AOC) from the Authority.
If you plan to operate your own or leased aircraft you must complete the process for the issuance of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
This certificate allows the holder to operate their own aircraft for commercial air transport purposes.

Information which might helpEdit

The safety certification is a 5-phase process.

The Pre-Application Phase is the period between the filing of the statement of intent and the filing of the formal application.
Then, the Initial Application Review Phase is the period of time between the submission of the formal application package and actual evaluation of the documents. If the applicant’s formal application package is acceptable for further review, the Inspectorate team will have a Formal Application meeting with him. In that meeting, an agreeable Schedule of Events will be worked out.
The next phase is the Document Conformance Phase. Now the Inspectorate will be actively reviewing the applicant’s manuals, documents and proposed records for acceptability.
Next is the Inspection and Demonstration Phase. During this period, the Inspectorate will inspect the applicant’s facilities, technical support, aircraft, equipment, communications, observe training and checking of crews, and participate in actual demonstration of the airline or air taxis’ capability.
The final phase is the one in which the Inspectorate completes their paperwork and issuance of approvals, including the Operations Specifications and the Air Operator Certificate. It is called the Final Certification Actions Phase. After that, the applicant is an “AOC holder.”

External LinksEdit

Bahamas Govt. Portal: Link
Process & Application: Air Operator (Aoc Holder) Certification Link

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.